Vets teach meaning of sacrifice

NORTH HAMPTON — Monday was not just another day off for North Hampton School students, who learned the holiday's real meaning at a student council-run Memorial Day assembly on Friday.

Laura Mellow

NORTH HAMPTON — Monday was not just another day off for North Hampton School students, who learned the holiday's real meaning at a student council-run Memorial Day assembly on Friday.

Student council president Tyler Williams, an eighth-grader, instructed his fellow students to think about Memorial Day as more than a day off from school, but as a day to honor those men and women who gave their lives for the United States.

"We are here today to honor those soldiers who died in war," said Williams in a speech about the origin of Memorial Day.

The assembly, which included a performance by the school chorus, also featured readings of the war poem "In Flanders Field" and Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, read by Grade 8 students Kristen Bougie and Samii Smith, respectively.

Veterans William Decker, Joe Kutt, George Marsden and Edward McCarthy also made an appearance at the assembly with Kutt speaking to the students about the importance of Memorial Day. Kutt also told a story he called "The Day of the Kamikaze" which recounted McCarthy's experience during World War II when his ship was attacked by the Japanese.

"This is an experience that will stay with Ed forever," Kutt said speaking of McCarthy's "buried shipmates at sea."

Kutt urged the students to remember those "who stood up for the call of freedom and faced the enemy head on."

"It's a wonderful opportunity for kids to learn a little about what Memorial Day means," said Decker.

Marsden said it helped students to understand "how many guys sacrificed to get where we are today."

"I think it's nice of them to take time out of their day so they can share all their stories," said student council secretary Molly Megna regarding the veterans' attendance at the assembly.

Eighth-grader Laura Kane said that the student council runs the assembly in an effort to educate the younger children about Memorial Day and the importance of remembering those who were killed in war.

"It's a really good chance to honor them and show our appreciation that they died for our country," Kane said.

The assembly ended with students James Drinwater and Hannah Knight playing taps on their trumpets, each on opposite sides of the school cafeteria.

Drinwater's grandfather was in the Air Force and his brother is in the Navy.

"I feel like I'm playing it for them," Drinwater said. "It's really from the heart."

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.

Advertise

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
seacoastonline.com ~ 111 New Hampshire Ave., Portsmouth, NH 03801 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service